Do you have possums in your roof?

Possum sightings are set to escalate over the next month as ringtail possums breed and give birth to their young.

A lack of trees with hollows will mean possums will find their way into people’s ceilings.

‘‘Competition from other possums, birds and bats, along with the clearing of many big trees in Bunbury, means that possumsmay find the roof of your homethe perfect nesting place,’’ Backyard Buddies chief executive officer Leonie Gale said.

‘‘Possums can squeeze in through a hole the size of a tennis ball.’’

Backyard Buddies, run by Australia’s Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, wants to let people know that there is a lot to love about the ‘‘possum magic’’ going on at people’s homes.

‘‘If a possum has taken up residence in your roof, there are some simple things you can do to encourage them to live outdoors instead, where you can better enjoy their antics,’’ Ms Gale said.

Tips for encouraging possums out of the roof include buying or building a nest box and put it at least four metres up a big tree to provide an alternative nest site and avoid removing old trees, as the hollows they provide can take from 70 to 100 years to develop.

To discourage possums from running over the roof at night, trim back overhanging branches so they don’t come within 1.5m of the gutter.

Ms Gales said relocating possums was a poor solution as most would not survive.

‘‘When introduced to a new area, your possum is likely to be attacked by resident possums defending their own territory, or by cats or foxes as it is scampering around on the ground trying to find a new nest site,’’ she said.